Who can get Married in Lapland?

Church ceremonies are only permitted if you are a Lutheran, otherwise a civil ceremony will be arranged. Marriages conducted in Lapland are legally recognized in the UK, Australia, USA, New Zealand and many other countries.

The Wedding Ceremony

The service is a Civil Ceremony, conducted in English by a local Magistrate known in Lapland as the 'Maistraatti'. The ceremony only takes a few minutes.

A Blessing

While all ceremonies are civil ceremonies, a blessing in a church can be arranged for those who wish.

Blessing (after your Civil Ceremony) at the Northern Lights Chapel (all seasons)

Blessing (following Civil Ceremony) at a 16th Century Wooden Church at Sodanklya (spring/ summer/ autumn).

Required Documents and Planning

It is important to remember the paperwork needs to be well coordinated and may at times require more then 3 months to process therefore early planning is essential.

While the documentary requirements for Lapland weddings are uncomplicated, it is essential that the wedding is planned in advance in order for all the legalised documentation to be processed. The following is a list of the required documents:

Legalised (apostilled) no impediment to marriage form

Legalised (apostilled) copies of passports for both parties

Copy of decree absolute (for divorcees only) / name changes

Finnish no impediment form (one form to be completed by bride and groom)

Finnish marriage in Finland form (one form each to be completed by bride and groom).